Firefighters prepare to strike for 24 hours in row over pensions

Victoria West

Firefighters will strike again - this time for 24 hours - in their ongoing protest against pension cuts.

Crews will walk out from 9am tomorrow as the long-running row over benefit changes continue.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Firefighters in England are reluctantly calling further strike action as a direct result of the Westminster government’s failure to listen and negotiate over pensions.

“We need to be clear. We are not going to give up or go away. Firefighters will fight for however long it takes to secure a fair pensions deal - this dispute will not end as long as the regulations remain unchanged.”

Herts chief fire officer Roy Wilsher said: “As with previous Fire Brigades Union strikes, non-striking firefighters will continue to provide emergency cover across the county. These contingency arrangements have stood up well during previous strike action, however with fewer resources our ability to respond to incidents is reduced, therefore I urge the public to play their part again and take extra care during the strike action.

“We will be responding as quickly as possible to serious incidents. In the event of a fire you should still get out, stay out, and call 999 – you will get an emergency response.

“We continue to hope that the government and Fire Brigades Union can resolve their dispute and that further walkouts can be avoided.”

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